Ahmad joined a caravan of merchants wending Indiawards; and, when his long and longsome travel was ended, he at last reached the caravanserai where his two brothers, Husayn and Ali, impatiently awaited his arrival.  The three rejoiced with exceeding joy to meet once more and fell on one another’s necks; thanking Allah who had brought them back safe and sound, hale and hearty, after such prolonged and longsome absence.  Then Prince Husayn, being the eldest, turned to them and said, “Now it behoveth us each to recount what hath betided him and announce what rare thing he hath brought back and what be the virtues thereof; and I, being the first-born, will be the foremost to tell my adventures.  I bring with me from Bishangarh, a carpet, mean to look at, but such are its properties that should any sit thereon and wish in mind to visit country or city, he will at once be carried thither in ease and safety although it be distant months, nay years of journey.  I have paid forty thousand gold pieces to its price; and, after seeing all the wonders of Bishangarh-land, I took seat upon my purchase and willed myself at this spot.  Straightway I found myself here as I wished and have tarried in this caravanserai three months awaiting your arrival.  The flying carpet is with me; so let him who listeth make trial of it.”  When the senior Prince had made an end of telling his tale, Prince Ali spake next and said, “O my brother, this carpet which thou hast brought is marvel-rare and hath most wondrous gifts; nor according to thy statement hath any in all the world seen aught to compare with it.”  Then bringing forth the Spying Tube, he pursued, “Look ye here, I too have bought for forty thousand Ashrafis somewhat whose merits I will now show forth to you.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

        The end of the Six Hundred and Forty-ninth Night

Then said she:—­I have heard, O auspicious King, that Prince Ali enlarged upon the virtues of his purchase and said, “Ye see this ivory pipe?  By means of it man may descry objects hidden from his sight and distant from him many a mile.  ’Tis truly a most wondrous matter and right worthy your inspection, and you two may try it an ye will.  Place but an eye close to the smaller glass and form a wish in mind to see what thing soe’er your soul desireth; and, whether it be near hand or distant many hundreds of miles, this ivory will make the object look clear and close to you.”  At these words Prince Husayn took the pipe from Prince Ali and, applying his eye to one end as he had been directed, then wished in his heart to behold the Princess Nur al-Nihar;[FN#329] and the two brothers watched him to learn what he would say.  Suddenly they saw his face change colour and wither as a wilted flower, while in his agitation and distress a flood of tears gushed from his eyes; and, ere his brothers recovered from their amazement and could enquire the cause of such strangeness, he cried aloud, “Alas! and